Nora to Toki no Koubou slated for July release

Japanese publisher Atlus--the company behind upcoming sheep- and sleep-heavy adventure game Catherine, the Megami Tensei series, and Etrian Odyssey--is getting back into portable role-playing games. The company recently launched the new website of upcoming Nintendo DS RPG Nora to Toki no Koubou: Kiri no Mori no Majo, translated as "Nora and the Time Studio: The Witch of the Misty Forest." The producer of the title is Shigeo Komori, whose past credits include being the director of Etrian Odyssey II and III as well as the scenario writer for Princess Crown. The scenario writer for Noora to Toki no Koubou is Shinichi Yoshiike, who is known for being involved with the Atelier series, while the game's soundtrack composer is Michiko Naruke, who is known for doing music for the Wild Arms series.

The RPG is about a girl named Nora Brandor, who can craft brand-new objects out of old items with the help of time manipulation. It's a different spin on alchemy according to Komori in an interview with Famitsu. She came to a place called the Misty Forest to perfect her crafting and time-bending skills, but she was mistakenly suspected of being the forest witch Vera by the denizens of the nearby village of Temperina. Thus, she decides to help the villagers to clear her name.

Nora Brandor: carver and time-manipulator-in-training.

As Nora takes on different quests, players will be given items that she can transform into better items either to advance the plot or help her in battle. The game's story spans a three-year period and will contain multiple endings.

Nora no Toki no Koubou will be out on July 21. An English version of the game has yet to be confirmed.